Video
Some of the enhanced video-related capabilities of the Nikon 1 V3 are what originally attracted my interest to this camera. Some of the features like slow motion, fast motion, jump cut and 4-second movie were not of significant interest to me, but being able to shoot 1080 HD in 60p is a very good step up from the V2.
I was interested to find out if the new Nikon 1 10-30 mm PD zoom could be used effectively for video, and I was intrigued with the idea of being able to use the touch screen to change the focusing point while recording video. I thought this feature may have the potential of replacing my D800 with a follow focus unit when doing rack focusing in static video scenes.
As far as the new 10-30 mm PD zoom lens goes, it really is a non-starter for video use. I thought that the power zoom feature may be useful from a video perspective so I did try this out with the V3/10-30 PD lens tripod mounted. Since the focal length is adjusted by a ring on the lens, sideways torque is required to adjust focal length. It is important to be very careful and steady when making these adjustments as not to cause lens shake.
Even when lens shake is avoided, this lens produces jumpy video footage when the zoom is used as the zoom function moves in increments, rather than smoothly like the Nikon 1 10-100 PD zoom. The other problem is that the 10-30 mm PD lens is very noisy when the power zoom is engaged and this sound is transferred onto video clips rendering them pretty much useless unless you are intending to mute the sound capture completely in your video assembly.
As it turns out there are some video-related issues with the Nikon 1 V3 that don’t make it feasible for me to add one to my kit. As with my V2, the Nikon 1 V3 seems to have some automatic processing going on in the background when recording video, even when full manual settings and manual ISO are used.
For example, when doing full zoom pulls with the Nikon 1 10-100 PD lens throughout its entire focal length range both cameras will shift exposures slightly several times during the zoom range. This happens even when the lens is set at f/5.6 or higher which should eliminate this from occurring. I’m used to this happening with my V2 and always plan my video clips within particular zoom ranges to avoid these slight exposure shifts. Since the V3 suffers from this same issue buying one would not help me achieve better results than the V2 in this regard.
A second issue is that the V3 tends to meter and expose a bit differently than the V2. While most people wouldn’t notice this when doing still photography it does come into play when shooting video when full manual settings including ISO are used.
My Nikon D800 and Nikon 1 V2 meter and expose virtually identically when shooting video. The V3 tends to under expose when operating in the same lighting conditions and when identical camera settings are used. My best estimate is that the difference is about 1/3 of a stop. I suspect that this is due to the fact that the measured ISO with the V3 is less than the manufacturer’s stated ISO.
I don’t think there is anything nefarious going on – it is a simple matter that the V3 meters and exposes slightly differently than the V2. This would cause issues for me when doing multiple camera video captures of the same scene as video footage from the V3 would need exposure correction in order to match my other cameras. I can currently avoid this by using my D800/V2 camera combination.
And finally, the last issue is how changing the focusing point actually works when shooting video with the Nikon 1 V3. While I was hoping that the transition from one point to another would be smooth and could be regulated in terms of transition speed, this isn’t the case. The transition from one focusing point to another tends to be very fast and abrupt which takes away a lot of needed creative control that is present when a follow focus unit is used. A larger concern is that the V3 does not acquire focus smoothly when changing focusing points during a video clip and tends to hunt when finding the new point. This is most evident when changing focusing points between subjects in the foreground and the background that are well separated in the scene. This AF issue makes video clips of this type unusable for my client projects.
Hi tom,
I am a nikon 1 j5 user , and i am inspired by you. I bought j5 in may 2016 and i i’ve already 5 lenses.
And now i need your opinion. Somehow i miss the evf, and i felt a little distrubed changing lens all the time. I thought i’d like to buy a second camera.
The option are the v2 , v3 or just wait for v4 or j6 with evf maybe? If i choose v2, do you think it will be an upgrade for my gear? Since j5 has better performance than v2.
After i read this article i dont think v3 is an option, due to its high price and common performance with my j5. So should i wait for the v4 or j6?
Thx tom for your attention.
Edwin
Hi Edwin,
Having an extra body can make things easier, especially when travelling. A camera body with an EVF is preferred by many people as it makes it easier for certain types of images, birds-in-flight for example. During my recent trips I travelled with a pair of J5s and a V2, with a 1 Nikon zoom attached to each. It certainly made it very quick to capture my images and move on.
No one knows what Nikon will be doing with the Nikon 1 line up in terms of new bodies, although a J6 is the best bet. Whether it will have an EVF is unknown.
One option that you could pursue is a good, used V2 or V3. That way you could get your second body for an affordable price, while allowing yourself some time to see what Nikon does with future Nikon 1 bodies. The sensor in the J5 is better than the ones in the V2 or V3 so there is some trade-off. The V2 and V3 have larger buffers so they are better when shooting birds-in-flight in continuous auto-focus at fast frame rates.
Tom
great summary. i’d just like to add for some of us holding out for a V4, a regular hot shoe and Nikon CLS would be additional desirable features.
Hi whisky,
Glad you enjoyed the article! I added a regular hot shoe…thanks for catching that for me!
Tom
Thanks again Tom for the review. I have been shooting with the v3 exactly 3 times now and overall I am impressed. I am over the micro SD thing (I think) but that was a major strange move from Nikon. I also don’t like the grip remove to change the battery, but I love the additional dial it gives me to make my experience with it – just like my D7100.
One point I HATE is no battery icon until it is about out. Maybe I will adjust to that, maybe not.
You are spot on with the comments on body. I think they were trying to keep the J and the V in line, but the penalty is simply too high. Also the EVF isn’t nearly as good as the v2, colors and mine is dimmer as well.
I do however love the feel of the grip and the touch screen has been a wonder. So nice to touch and change! Also love the Fn buttons set for my preferences. I have my back knob set for exposure comp and can press and turn for adjustment – simply brilliant. For this reason alone – I will keep the v3.
IQ still shows the 1″ sensor but hey I love the portability that gives me.
70-300 arrives TODAY. I am thrilled about that add-on.
At the end of the day my v2 and v3 will stay with me.
Mike
Hi Mike,
Always great to hear from you – and I’m glad you liked the review! I think Nikon did a lot of things right with the V3…but also took a couple of steps backwards with it as well. Hopefully that will be corrected with a future V4. I think you will love the CX 70-300! I found it to be a great combination for birds etc. If you set the EVF to turn off the rear panel you’ll be amazed with how much the battery life is extended.
Tom
Hi Tom –
Thanks for the good review. While I have been eyeing the V3, I have opted to wait for the V4 before replacing the V1 (which I totally enjoy). Personally, I don’t see the issue with the micro SD card – I never remove my cards unless replacing them, because I transfer data via cable. I agree with you, too, that the V3 combined with the 70-300 seems to produce better images than the V2 and 70-300. Anyway, keep up the good work!
–Naomi
Hi Naomi,
Thanks for your positive comment – I’m glad you enjoyed the review! I was disappointed with some of the design choices that Nikon made with the camera, and like you, I’m waiting to see what happens with a future V4. Having said that, I did enjoy shooting with the V3 a lot more than I anticipated and found it to be a very capable camera. Interesting that you transfer data via cable. I’ve not done that but I think it is something for me to consider.
Tom
Great review!
I was going to buy a V3 but was put off by the external EVF, different battery and micro SD card. I hate micro SD cards – so small and fiddly and then you need to put them into a an SD card holder to read then.
I thought the money was better spent on the CX70-300 lens which is superb! I don’t regret my choice.
Oddly, I prefer the files from the V1. They are ‘grainier’ but seem more organic than the V2 files.
But, it’s going to be interesting to see what Nikon bring out for the V4! Like you, I hope it’s more V2 style.
Hi Bob,
I totally agree that the CX 70-300 lens is superb! I don’t regret buying mine either! The soon-to-be-released J5 is rumoured to have a new 20.8MP sensor and 4K video. If Nikon goes back to a V2 style of camera with the V4, keeps all of the good things with the V3 and adds the 4K etc. it may tempt me to buy a copy.
Tom